Community-based internet marketing forums and blogs, covering the latest in online marketing topics, search engine optimization, website design and website management.... http://www.webmastercommunity.com/ Copyright 2012 Infoguides Limited en Tue, 22 May 2012 10:14:35 +0100 Tue, 22 May 2012 09:58:45 +0100 FeedForAll v2.0 (2.0.3.1) http://www.feedforall.com Your company website may only consist of six pages today. Yet, imagine if you wanted to grow your content to over six hundred web pages. How would you make alterations to all pages at once, without some kind of content management system? It would simply be impractical….

One of the challenges for new webmasters is how to manage all of their web pages in a structured and organised way. Many novices opt for a database driven solution, such as a WordPress or Drupal content management system. Database connected websites provide an easy to set up, fill in the blanks type method of posting content on the web. However, over the years I have found that relying upon a third-party script means working within the boundaries of that script, in terms of it's limitations regarding website design and promotion. The third party script may change as security flaws may be exposed, leaving Webmasters to upgrade, install bug fixes and hope it all works. Alternatively, some people purchase off-the-shelf HTML templates, allowing novices to 'fill in the gaps'. These are great for small brochure websites but are usually quite restrictive if different web pages need to look or behave differently, or scale in volume.

Instead, I prefer a more flexible method of generating static or semi-dynamic webpages, using a PC-based web publishing software tool called Webmerge. Just to be clear, I am not an affiliate of this company! However, after using Webmerge to create and manage thousands of pages of content over the years, I feel I should sing its praises as an invaluable and incredibly flexible way of managing lots of web pages. There are probably other similar software tools on the market. The primary advantage is that you can flexibly adjust on-page elements of your entire website, while retaining full control of all web design aspects of your HTML. Whereas, altering the source code of database connected systems can sometimes be restrictive, tricky, time consuming and inflexible.

If you have been designing websites for more than 10 years or so as I have, it is likely you have changed your mind and wanted to improve the website design and look and feel over time. Webmerge software allows me to dynamically generate an unlimited number of web pages from a database or text file. This means I can create a standard HTML template(s) with all my relevant design aspects and combine it with a single text file, to make my webpages. If I make a mistake or change my mind, I simply rebuild the site on the fly. I manage one site with over 1500 pages which can be rebuild on my PC within 2 minutes. If you are not using includes, you can still build hundreds or even thousands of static files (such as .htm Web pages) in minutes. Static flat files have a slight disadvantage in that you will need to keep FTP'ing all your updated pages to a site). However, if your website is constructed using a PHP, ASP, or ASPX file structure, you will only need to upload new pages. It is quick to learn for novices and professionals alike.

By combining a standard Excel spreadsheet with column headings (representing individual Webmerge html tags), and rows (representing individual web pages) - you can quickly rebuild multiple elements within any webpage and on the fly. This basic design process can be enhanced by specifying 'if, then, else' instructions in your Excel spreadsheet. This allows you to decide which content should appear on which groups of web pages. You soon realise that managing hundreds or thousands of pages can be achieved flexibly and easily.

So control, flexibility and design speed are the key benefits of using off-line content management system. For example, if you're going through any type of re-branding exercise, then by using web publishing software you only need to make minimal changes to your HTML template. Likewise, over the years I have had to respond to changes in Webmaster guidelines regarding on page optimisation. These are the 'dos and don'ts' of Webmaster design. For example, I have been able to customize my HTML templates to optimise them for new quality related factors. These changes include changing the internal linking structure of the site and optimising a website to increase page loading speed. It also includes removing old HTML tags and replacing them with a completely CSS driven design, image optimisation, inclusion of HTML 5 tags, marking up data for Schema.org and many more. All these changes usually involve applying the same change, multiple times and to all pages. There is no way I could have achieved most of them by relying on a database connected, third-party content management system.

© Copyright 2008-2012
Infoguides Limited]]> http://www.webmastercommunity.com/blogs/cms-html-templates.aspx http://www.webmastercommunity.com/blogs/cms-html-templates.aspx Thu, 9 Feb 2012 21:38:09 +0000 CSS3 provides some great new styling techniques. If you are new to web designing and want to create rounded corners, shaded borders and gradients, (CSS3 can achieve these styling techniques in minutes).

Prior to the new CSS3 standards, such styling techniques were incredibly time-consuming and cumbersome hacks and fudges. For example, you can create rounded corners using a combination of image box or image sprites and JavaScript. However, the implementation time is always increased through cross browser testing. Some of these techniques are simply too complicated for the first time web designer. However, help is at hand. CSS3 has some great new techniques which mean you can create stylish looking web pages that have a 3-D sculpted and rounded look and feel. Novice users can now quickly create professional looking web templates in minutes. Look at this website border design.

The slight drawback is the incompatibilities exist between browsers which mean CSS3 requires multiple instructions in your style sheet. In addition, IE8 or below does not recognise somecss3 standards. However, those clever people at CSS3pie.com have created an easy to implement code (PIE.htc), which neutralises most cross browser issues. It helps to supplement the new native standards in Internet Explorer 9, by providing supplemental CSS code which will allow quick sculpting, radius and gradient techniques to be produced for any browser, on any device.

A CSS3 Example
Creating rounded corners using CSS3 Rounded corners are becoming increasingly popular to create more sculpted and 3-D effect. To ensure the css3 instructions work in different browsers, you will need to repeat the coding in slightly different ways. Chrome, Safari and Firefox all support rounded corners natively but require different tags. Likewise, creating a box shadow requires multiple instructions. The new stylesheet settings allows designers to create multiple drop shadows (outer or inner) on box elements, specifying values for color, size, blur and offset. The Syntax for box shadows is: h-shadow v-shadow blur spread color inset. The working example is here.

The CSS code that utilises CSS3 and the PIE.htc and creates the table example. When using css3pie, I would recommend using a plain to keep Microsoft IE happy. I found some incompatibilities with Internet Explorer if the wrong doctype is used. Also, make sure you specify a Z-index layer if you are overlapping classes (such as tables within containers). You also need to make sure the PIE.htc is in the same directory of the webpage utilising it.

Simple. Easy. Quick.

© Copyright 2008-2012
Infoguides Limited]]> http://www.webmastercommunity.com/blogs/css3-effects.aspx http://www.webmastercommunity.com/blogs/css3-effects.aspx Tue, 7 Feb 2012 18:53:00 +0000 The introduction of Schema.org vocabulary provides interesting opportunities for you to classify the meaning of specific types of content within your web pages. This in turn should improve your click through ratio, if search engines present this marked up html as 'rich snippets' in their results....

Schema is a collaboration between Google, Microsoft and Yahoo! It is not a standard or industry body. Schema includes the semantic Microdata format, (which along with html5), provide a wide variety if way for Webmasters to define individual elements of within a webpage. These html mark-up tags help search engines to derive actual meaning and context from bits of content. This enables them to redisplay each element in a useful and relevant way. So you can eliminate potential confusion over the real meaning of a word. For example, a 'bonnet' could mean 'hinged cover over the engine in a car', or alternatively 'various types of Scottish or Irish soft hat'.

Why Bother Implementing Microdata?
Although the use of Microdata is not a ranking factor (yet), by allowing search engines to extract specific elements of content, it is highly likely your click through ratio will improve. Users are well used to clicking on 'rich snippets' to take them to exactly the bit of content they are interested in. So your conversion rates are likely to improve if you are delivering exactly what a visitor asks for. How many times have you clicked on the search result where the link was a review, an author, an image or a product link? In other words, the richer your content can be analysed and classified and re-presented as a snippet, the greater the likelihood it will be visited by your target audience. If you run a product orientated website, which comprises a large catalogue of products, people, reviews or places - then Microdata will become really invaluable for your online marketing efforts.

Each 'itemtype' is enclosed top and bottom by 'itemscope' (which identifies the section of the page that is "about" something). You can specify the type of item using the itemtype attribute immediately after the itemscope. To label properties of an item, use the itemprop attribute. The possibilities are endless when you scroll down the full Hierarchy of Item types. From this list you can find which 'types' relate to the sort of content of your website. Sometimes the value of an item property can itself be another item with its own set of properties.

When I first implemented Microdata on this website, I only needed to selectively use a few 'item types' to distinguish the important elements of each webpage, from the less relevant areas of each webpage (such as the navigational headers and footers). To see Schema markup in action on my site click here.

If you use a content management system, it is well worth going through the pain of updating all of your HTML templates and scripts to include Microdata mark-ups. This will avoid thinking about how to classify new data every time you post something. You should be validating your web design template or CMS anyway, in an on-going effort to remain compliant with the latest W3C standards. Bear in mind that not all browsers support HTML 5 as yet. So there is no huge urgency to use every single tag in Schema - yet there is no downside of staying ahead of the game.

To test any changes you have made to your webpages, Google provide a rich snippets testing tool which will identify whether you have implemented Microdata according to the standards laid down by Schema.org.

© Copyright 2008-2012
Infoguides Limited]]> http://www.webmastercommunity.com/blogs/why-use-schema.aspx http://www.webmastercommunity.com/blogs/why-use-schema.aspx Mon, 6 Feb 2012 11:45:00 +0000 I frequently get asked what I do for a living. People naturally expect a straightforward two word answer. However, when I say I work in 'online marketing' most post peoples eyes glaze over in confusion. Trying to describe 'online marketing' can sometimes be like trying to nail jelly to a wall. Well here goes....

Where Can I Get Professional Help From?
A professional online marketer aims to assist a company meet their sales and marketing objectives. They are very much a business consultant with a wide range of technical skills.  Finding a good consultant can be tricky. Many people don't quite know what type of internet marketing services are best suited to their situation and resort to Googling for help. However, I believe there is so much conflicting opinion in blogs and forums from so called 'experts', as to the best way to generate sales leads from your business website. Much of this is hearsay and speculation. It can easily miss-lead you about the most appropriate type of online marketing operator to employ.

Many small business owners choose to retain the business services of an online marketing company, to take away the hassle. However, in such a pioneering market sector, there is virtually no regulation to prevent unscrupulous suppliers. There is also no guarantee of success, (even if you find a decent Internet marketing firm). So if you can spare some time (while coping with running the routine aspects of your business), I suggest you invest some quality time, to educate yourself about how online marketing works before employing anybody. You will need to grasp the following...

The Power of a Website...
Many businesses rely entirely on the Internet as its primary sales channel for new business. There are many practical aspects of web design and search engine optimisation you can do, (at a relatively low-cost), to create an additional sales channel. However for many localised serviced based businesses, the nature of their business means that delivering a service cannot be reasonably done online. If you fall into this category, do not ignore the Internet marketing opportunity though - build a web presence! Even if you are serviced based business in a local market, creating a uncluttered 'brochure based' website can help prospects find your phone number. Many forms of conventional advertising have now been replaced by more convenient online alternatives. This is because more and more prospects rely on search engines or social networks to find the phone number of local firms. Particularly for the younger generation, many have never even glanced through a paper copy of the Yellow Pages.

Research Key Phrases Before You Do Anything Else
The basis of organic online marketing research is to understand what 'key phrases' your target market is typing into search engines. Key phrase research is a lengthy and necessary first step. By scrutinising keyword databases online, it allows you to understand how the world is currently using search engines. This analysis will dictate the nature the articles you write your own website, and how you should organise or 'optimise' those webpage's. There are a whole series of acceptable standards for the laying out a web page or website, in order to make it 'search engine friendly'. The simplest way to understand these acceptable guidelines, is to understand Search engines own 'Webmaster Guidelines', which outlines what you should and shouldn't do. There is an incredibly delicate balance between targeting key phrases in order to create a compelling and informative business website, against the ongoing risk of being penalised or banned from a search engine, for over manipulation or 'spamming' use of key phrases.

Bread and Butter Blogging
One of the commonest forms of online marketing activities is business blogging. It means using an informal writing style on a web page. As it is casual you can communicate with them in the first person. Is a terrific way to discuss topical issues, provide expert opinion on regulatory issues affecting your niche. It is probably the easiest way to generate an up-to-date series of webpage's, to boost your website rankings. So it's vital you write blog posts on a regular basis, if you want your organic search engine positions to improve.

As the basis of most search engines ranking system, includes marks for the quantity and quality of links from other websites to your business website, you will need a link building strategy. One of the most effective strategies is 'link baiting'. It simply means creating highly compelling content on your own website - to entice other Webmasters who will naturally link to your site. There are also more traditional and automated techniques (such as reciprocal linking, article marketing, content syndication). You will need to be extremely careful which of these tactics and techniques you select. Many are now deemed as manipulative by the algorithms used by search engines. You don't want to risk your website being penalised for employing tactics which go against the guidelines of any search engine.

Real Returns from Online Advertising
If you don't want to wait or spend large amounts of time developing organic search positions, an online advertising pay per click campaign will reduce time time to market. Most leading search engines primary source of income is the pay per click network which they own and operate. This allows anybody with a product or service, to advertise in the 'Sponsored Listings' section of the search engine. The most widely used one Globally is Adwords. You will notice that the pay per click adverts that appear, usually do so directly above or to the side of 'natural result's'. So by creating a series of targeted pay per click adverts within your Adwords account, you can quickly reach millions of potential customers. You will not be charged any monies up front, until a prospect clicks on your advert. You can also be reasonably confident that this prospect is mainly interested in your offering, having already typed in a highly relevant search term that you bid on.

Keep Up With Privacy and Data Laws
Lastly if you are fully conversant with the current laws related to Data Protection and opt in email, using email marketing can be a highly effective use of digital online marketing. It can help you stay in touch with your existing customers, and with prospects who have opted to receive your regular newsletter. You must be especially wary of not sending any unsolicited email which could be classified as spam. Instead, remember that many people love to receive email and have explicitly asked (or 'opted in') to receive this email in the past. They prefer this communications medium, as it can be immediate, convenient and picked up from their PC or mobile device. By building up a large user base of opt-in subscribers, you have the opportunity to promote your products and services at virtually no cost and to a huge audience. Good luck with your online market ventures!

© Copyright 2008-2012
Infoguides Limited]]> http://www.webmastercommunity.com/blogs/what-is-online-marketing.aspx http://www.webmastercommunity.com/blogs/what-is-online-marketing.aspx Sat, 4 Feb 2012 11:05:00 +0000 Its time to check what percentage of 'real textual content' sits in your visitors eye line (above the fold) when they land on your website. If you have deliberately filled up that space with third party advertising, you may suffer a Panda penalty...

Google's latest algorithm change, (code-named Panda) continues to create opportunities and threats for Webmasters. Panda first emerged in 2010 as a means of identifying shallow content that had been duplicated or plagiarised. It's primary aim is to neutralise the impact of spammy websites with shallow content. Many of these websites aimed to rely on AdSense revenues from annoying ads at the top of the page (above the fold). These sites provide little value to web users who cannot get to the content easily and quickly.

The latest incremental algorithm update, involves scoring a webpage based on the amount of available workspace or pixels above the fold, dedicated to 3rd party advertisements. Above the fold is a term used to describe the area of the screen users do not have to scroll down in their browser to view. In other words, the less quality content that is displayed above the fold the greater the likelihood of some type of penalty.

Although the change will only affect a small % of offending sites, many webmasters are naturally concerned their website is going to get caught up in purge. So, if your website relies on affiliate based third party advertising, you may need to look closely at your website design template to ensure you are providing value and unique content. Think carefully about what your users expect to see on each landing page. This may vary wildly, depending upon the type of website design template you are using, screen resolution setting, as well as the different sizes on monitors and tablets in use.

I recently went through a major overhaul off my content management system, to ensure the percentage of available space above the fold was not taken up with large images, or any advertising that could not fall foul of the latest panda update. You should at least be concerned if you are using integrated flash introductions or moving gifs that take up a large proportion of the top of the page. If you do not want to compromise on your graphic design, why not see if you can bring upwards textual body into your surrounding borders.

Check the latest user statistics on browsers and monitor screen sizes. You may find that you're able to increase the fixed width of your design to incorporate an increased amount of textual content. For example, the vast majority of users now use screen monitors that render 1900 pixels in width (much larger than a few years ago). You also may need to rethink your website page layout in terms of its navigational layout prominence.

For affiliate based websites, there is obvious contradiction. The highest paying AdSense adverts are ones placed on top ranking web pages. So why not use AdSense a bit more sparingly in the future, and just target the high search volume phrases/pages. The simplest solution is to not obsess about AdSense revenue. Instead, focus on creating content people actually want to read!

It seems to me the click through ratio and bounce rate are becoming increasingly important factors when measuring engagement of users site wide. So focus on enticing users through your site, by using related articles or inline links.]]> http://www.webmastercommunity.com/blogs/content-above-the-fold.aspx http://www.webmastercommunity.com/blogs/content-above-the-fold.aspx Thu, 2 Feb 2012 21:00:00 +0000 After 11 years, I think its high time I start putting my experiences and knowledge down in this blog - if anything to look back and try and remember what I have learnt.

I have built and promoted websites that have generated over half a million unique visitors, that has generated over 50,000 quote requests.

I specialise in designing and promoting content driven portals. Prior to my webmaster days, I originally worked in sales and support functions in systems integrated projects in the Financial Services sector of the City of London. This involved working closely with Corporate clients on large IT projects, to deliver bespoke datacenter and networking solutions.

Despite the rewards of a youthful sales role, my heart was never really in it. I decided to start my own web design and promotion business - Infoguides Limited. Working on your own has its ups and downs. In times of uncertainty and austerity, I believe working for yourself brings both financial rewards plus the satisfaction of controlling your own destiny.

On these pages you can read my comment and expert opinion on the latest internet marketing topics, issues and challenges facing Webmasters. Let me correct myself for a moment. In the world of Internet marketing, I don't believe there is such a thing as an 'expert'. Although there are many formal qualifications and training courses, there is no real substitute for practical experience and delivering results. Reading about online marketing tactics in books or training programs is no replacement for actually doing it. I am self taught and will continue to learn as the Net continues to evolve.

In my view, there is far too much rumour, plagiarised content and pure guesswork in Internet forums, blogs and so-called 'expert' marketing guides. However, I hope to provide as much practical help and clarity in this blog as possible. I would like to share what I've learned. At the same time I would love the opportunity to discuss and learn from like minded individuals in the web design and promotion industry. This is not a self publicity exercise. Many Blogs are a flimsy attempt to boost search engine rankings, without really empathising with readers concerns or interests. Conversely, I would like my blog to reflect my views and knowledge to help my readers quickly grasp an issue or solve a problem.

If you have an opinion or question on any of the subjects discussed in this blog, please feel free to post a comment. Don't forget to use the social bookmarks icons at the top of every web page, to share this information with someone you think might also appreciate it. You can also subscribe to my blog via all the popular feed readers or via email. If you are new to internet marketing and don't know where to begin, please read my quick-start guides.]]> http://www.webmastercommunity.com/blogs/about-this-blog.aspx http://www.webmastercommunity.com/blogs/about-this-blog.aspx Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:05:00 +0000